Told Career Finished “TIGER “LEADS INDIA IN TEST SERIES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 15

Told Career Finished “TIGER “LEADS INDIA IN TEST SERIES

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MADRAS, October 1, The 23-year-old Nawab of Pataudi, who will captain India in the first test against Australia, beginning at Madras tomorrow, is known as “Tiger” throughout India because of his tremendous fighting qualities. But Pataudi is fortunate to be playing cricket today. He was involved in a bad motor-car smash in England in 1961 which permanently damaged one of his eyes. CAREER FINISHED He was immediately operated on by specialists who the next day informed Pataudi that his cricket career was finished because the sight in one eye was so badly affected. But by sheer courage, together with an iron will, Pataudi played with success for Sussex before returning home to his farm at New Delhi. Encouraged by his mother, Begum Pataudi, and relatives, he continued playing in New Delhi. TWO-EYED STANCE He changed his batting style, adopted a two-eyed stance in order to see the ball better, and began to amass centuries and double centuries. When the former Indian captain, N. Contractor, was put out of the game, after a blow on the head, the selectors looked for another leader last season against England. They chose Pataudi. During the series he showed fine tactical qualities, made one or two declarations that some Indian critics did not like, but he got away with them because England, under M. J. K. Smith, did not accept challengers. FOLLOWED FATHER Pataudi’s choice as captain last season made cricket history. In doing so, he step-

ped into the shoes of his late father, Nawab of Pataudi, who toured Australia with D. R. Jardine’s team in the “bodyline” series. Younger Pataudi, like his father, learned his cricket in English preparatory and public schools, and at Oxford University. But, whereas the elder Pataudi played for England before representing India, younger Pataudi was unable to win a place in the England team before representing India. Many sound judges, however, believe that had he not damaged his eye he might have emulated his father, and have played for England before his own country.